Pawl-and-ratchet device for dumping-vehicles.



. .No. 835,452. P-ATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

A. MBRTES.

PAWL AND RATGHET DEVICE FOR DUMPING. VEHICLES.

I iAPPLIUATION PII B D NOV. 2. 1905.

2 SHEETQ-SHEET 1.

No. 835,452. PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

A. MBRTES. PAWL AND RATGHET- DEVICE FOR DUMPING VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2. 1905.

2 SHEETS-BEEF]: 2.

UNI ED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

AUGUST MERTES, OF EMSWORTH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO H.

HIEBER .W'AGON MANUFACTURING (30., OF MoKEES ROCKS, PENN- SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLYANIA.

PAWL-AND-RATCHET DEVICE FOR DUMPING-VEHICLES.

' zen of the United States, residing at Emsworth, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and use ful Improvements in Pawl-arid-Ratchet Devices for Dumping-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to awl-and-ratchet devices for dumping-vehic es, and aims to provide a new and improved locking device,

ereinaftcr more specifically referred to, for use in connection with hinged doors or gates of dumpin -vehicles.

Although the invention is adapted for use in connection with dumping-wagons, it is also applicable for any purposes for which it.

is found adaptablefor exam le, locking ates or doors, hoisting and winding devices, oading and unloading devices, or for other purposes where it isnecessary to manually rotate and look from rotation any rotatable element.

The invention further aims to rovide a means for the purpose set forth w ich shall be simple inits construction, strong, durable, efiicient in its use, readily set up, and inexpensive to manufacture- With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically-described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention; but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote correspondin parts throughout the several views, an in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a dumping-vehicle, showing a locking device'm accordance with this invention n connection therewith. Fi 2 is a bottom plan of a dum in -vehic e, showing the arrangement of a 00 g devicein accordance wlth this invention in connection therewith. Fig. 3 is a view looking from one side of one form ofa locking device in accordance with this inven:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 2, 1905. Serial No- 285,600-

Patented Nov. e, 1906.

tion, the operating-lever being broken away. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the lockinglever moved to inoperative position and the locking-dog retained in position by the oper-" ating-pawl. Fig. 5 is alike View with the lockingdog released. Fig. 6 is a View looking to one side of a modified form of locking device in accordance with this invention, and Fig. 7 is a sectional detail. d

A locking device in accordance with this invention is shown, by way of example, as setup in connection with a dumping-wagon; but it will be stated that the locking device can be used for any 111- oses wherein it'is found applicable. T e 1 lustrat-ion in connection witn the dumping-wagon is employed to show more clearly the manner in which the device is em loyed for looking a rotatable element,,as s own, therotatable element being a drum-shaft upon which is adapted to be wound a locking-cable for retaining in position the dumping-bottom of the vehicle. I In the drawings the reference character 1 denotes the vehicle-body, having a dumpingbottom formed of a pair of sections, indicated by the reference charactersZ 3 and hinged, as at 4, to the sides of the wagon. These sections 2 3 are held in closureposition through the medium of a retaining-cable 5, which passes at one end over a ulley 6, secured to the, underneath face of tie body 1, and has the ends thereof secured to a drum-shaft 7, 'ournaled in the fore part 8 of the vehicleody and extending from one side thereof, as at 9. Upon the extending end 9 of the druming device in accordancewith this invention Although preferably the said certain elements of the locking device are mounted upon the. meeting end 9 of the shaft 7 exshaft 7 is mounted certain elements of a lockterior of t 1e fore part 8 of the vehicle-body yet, if desired, the said certain elements of the device can be mounted upon the drumshaft 7 within the fore part 8 of the ve icle s,

It has been found that the lockifi device can be more conveniently operated from the exterior of the vehicle than from the interior thereof. The projecting end 9 of the shaft 7 is s new in cross-section, so that when the sai certain eleme ts of the locking device are mounted'thereon and said lockin device operated to dra wd thc cable 5 taut sai' operation of the lockinetidevice will cause the rotation of the drum-shaft 7 and the winding of the cable 5 thereon, thereby drawing said cable taut and retainin the sectionsof the clumpingbottom in c osure position. To prevent the drum-shaft 7 moving laterally or transversely of the fore part 8 of the vehiclebodyl after said drum-shaft 7 has been placed in. position, cotter-pins 10 or other suitable devices extend through the shaft 7 in close proximity to the sides of the fore part 8, and interposed between the cotter-pins 10 and the sides of the fore part 8 are the Washers 11.

One form of a locking device for the purpose set forth and in accordance with this invention comprises a ratchet-wheel 12, having one face thereof provided with an extended boss 13, u on which is loosely mounted the operatingever 14, the normal or inoperative position thereof being such as to extend in a ngitudinal direction with respect to the body 1 of the vehicle. The operating-lever 14 is mounted upon the boss 13 in such a manner that the said boss 13 will extend through the lever at a oin-t in proximity to the tapering end 15 of tli forming that portion of the lever on the other side of the boss 13 somewhat elongated, which makes that portion of the lever'veryheavy, so that the lever will resume its normal or inoperative'position by gravity when the operator releases the lever.

The lever 14 is retained upon the boss 13 through the medium of a cotterin or other suitable hold'fast device 16, which extends through the projecting end 9 of the drum shaft 7, and also through the medium of a washer 17, which is mounted upon the base 13 and interposed between the cotterin 16 and the outer faceof the lever 14. T e lat ter is provided with three inwardly-extending lugsJsS, 19, and 20. The lug 18 is positioned on the end 15 of the lever 14 and is termed a shifting-lug, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to. i The lug 19 is carried by an offset 21 and is termed a stop-lug, the function of which will be hereinafter referred to, and the lug is arran ed in suitable relation with respectto the g 19 and constitutes a pivot upon which is mounted the o crating pawlor dog 22, having a flattened inner end which is retained upon the said lug 20 through the medium of a eotter-pin or other suitable device 23. The ing 19 acts as a stop for limiting the swin ing movement of the pawl or dog 22 in one 6 irection. The pawl or dog 22' is adapted to. be moved into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 12, so that when the lever 14 is oscillated the wl or dog-22 willenga e and rotate the saifiatcheteel 12, there y im rtin rotation to the shaft 7- and winding t 0 ea e 5 thereon. Back rotation of the ratchet-wheel 12 when it is retnted in one direction through the medium of e said lever, thereby parted theretothe pawl or dog 22 is prevented through the medium of the locking-pawl 24, having a dependent weighted arm 25, whose function is to retain the lockin -pawl 24 in engagement with the ratchet-w lieel 12. The weighted arm 25 also acts as a shifting means, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, to cause the moving of the locking-pawl 24 out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 12, so that no resistance will be offered to the rotation of the drurn-shaft 7 in a direction opposite to that which is imparted thereto through the medium of the lever 14, pawl 22, and ratchet wheel 12, thus enabling the weight of the load to automatically open the dumpingbot tom of the vehicle.

The locking-dog 24 is pivoted upon the stud 26, projecting outwardly from the portion 8 of the wagon-bod and the said locking-pawl 24 is retaine upon the stud 26 through the medium of the cotter-pin 27 or other suitable holdfast device. The pawl or dog 22 not only acts as a means for rotating the ratchet-wheel 12 when the lever 14 is 0} er ated, but when the lever 14 is returned to its normal or inoperative position the pawl or dog 22 is ada ted to engage in a wedge-like manner the ocking-dog 2'4 owing to the flattened inner end of said dog 22 abutting against one side of the dog or pawl 24. The return of the lever 14 to its normal or inoperative position rotates the pawl 22 on its pivot 20 and causes the pawl or dog 22 to seat itself upon the locking-dog 24, and as I the Weight of the lever will retain the pawl 22 in such position it is evident that the wedg ing action of the pawl 22 will securely retain the looking-pawl 24 against a tooth of the ratchet-Wheel 12, thereby preventing the release of the drum-shaft 7 until the lever 14 is shifted fromnormal ition, which carries the pawl 22 therewith, or the arm 25 is shifted so as to move the pawl 24 out of the path of the ratchet-wheel 12. The manner in which the arm 25 is shifted so as to release the pawl 24 from engagement with the ratchetwheel is through the medium of the shifting lug 18, and in this connection it will be stated that when vthe lever 14 is operated in one direction the pawl 22 is ada ted to rest upon a lug 28, projecting ou-twar ly from the fore part 8 of the wagon-body, and .which I rmits of a greater throw to be given-the ever 14, causing the shifting-lug 18 to ride upon the outer face of the arm 25 and at the same time draw the arm 25 toward the ratchet-wheel 12. This action will shift the pawl 24 away from the ratchet-wheel 12, so as to emit of the drum-shaft 7 being rotated in a irection opposite to that which is imy the operation of the ratchet-wheel thro' h the medium of the lever, the rotation o the shaft 7 in this contradirection being caused by the val ht of the load opening the sections of the amping-bottom, the latterin their movement carrying the cable therewith, which causes the unwinding of the cable off the shaft 7, and consequently rotating the shaft. The lug 28- not only acts as a means to hold the dog 22 away from the ratchet-wheel, so at to per- Init of an increased throw for the lever 14 to enable the lug 18 to engage the shifting arm 25, so as to move the locking-pawl 24 out of.

engagement with the ratchet-wheel 12, but also acts as a means to limit the throw of the lever when the pawl 22 is performing its function of rotating the ratchet-wheel 12. In

this connection it will be stated that when moving the lever, with the dog 22, in.engagement with the wheel '12 during the travel of the'lever 14 and pawl 22 the latterwill abut against the lug 28. Consequently said lug 28 will arrest the movement of the lever. The arranging ofthe-lever 14 in a longitudinal position when the lever is moved to normal position causes the dog 22 to extend ina substantially vertical position,

so that by a quick throw of the lever 14 the dog 22 Wlll be caused to position itself upon the lug 28, and consequently the lug 18 will engage the arm 25, and shift the dog 2-4out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 12 and release the lock upon the shaft 7. That surface of the dog 22 which contacts with they moved out of engagement with the dog 24:

Another formof a locking device in' accordance with this invention is shown in Fig. 6. In connection therewith it will be stated that the,difference between the same and the locking device heretofore referred to consists in providing the 0 erating-leversubstantially L-shaped and ispensing with the shifting arm for the locking-dog. The lever is indicated by the reference character 29. and the tapering end by the reference character 30.

The operating-lever is provided with three lugs 31 32 38, which are positioned upon the lever in the same manner as the In s 18, 19, and 20 and perform the same function, with the exception of the lug 31, which corre-. sponds to the lug 18. In lieu of the lug 31 engaging with the shifting arm,'so as to move the locking-pawl 34 out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 12 the lug 31 engages directly with the said locking-pawl 34 and shifts the same out of en agement with the ratchet-wheel, thereby re easing the shaft 7.

'tion, arrangement, and operation of the form.

shown in Fig. 6 is the, same as the locking device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the same reference characters being applied thereto. 1

It will be evidentfrom the locking device set up in accordance with this invention that not only is'the shaft prevented from rotation through the medium oi the locking dog or pawl, but a means is also provided for retaining sald locking-dog in its engagement with the ratchet-wheel, thismeans beingthe operating-pawl, which is held in contact with the locking dog or pawl through the weight of the operating-lever when the the latter is moved to normal or inoperative position.

This arrangement prevents the jarof the vehicle from: throwing the lockingdog or pawl out of engagement with the ratchet-wheellZ...

This arrangement overcomes aserious objection existing heretofore in connection with looking devices for dumping-vehicles,

for it has been found that unless suitable means are employed to retain the locking dog orpawl in position during the travelof the vehicleathe pawl'or dog was liable to be shifted or rather jarred out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 12during the travel of the vehicle. Y

It will also be evident that the locking 'device in accordance with this invention hasas an essential'part' thereof means for conveniently shifting the locking dog: or" pawl out of position, so as to readily release the drum shaft dumped. v

Having thus fully described my invention,

Letters Patent, is.

1.. A locking device for the purpose' set forth, comprisin a rotatable member, a piv'r,

oted dog adapte to engage therewith for intermittently rotatin the same and provided with a flattened en a pawlfor preventing back rotation of said member, and an oper-' ating-lever carrying said dog and provided with a lug to limit the movement of said dog in one direction and further provided with a lug for moving the pawl o'ut of engagement withsaid' member, said operating-lever when moved to inoperative position adapted to movethe said dog so that its flattened end will engage in a wedge-like manner saidpawl so as to retain it in operative position.

2.. A locking device for the pu ose set forth, comprising the combination wit a sup-v said dog in one direction and further pro-' 65 Otherwise than that as stated the construcvided with 'a lug for shifting said pawlout of r 0 to enable the vehicle to be -what I claim as new, and desire to secure by IIO rotation thereof, an

engagement with said member, said operating-lever when moved to inoperative position to shift the dog to engage said pawl in a wedge-like manner to retain the pawl in'operative position, and means carried by the support for limiting the movement of the lever in one direction and for retaining said dog free of said member.

3. A locking device for the purpose set forth, comprising a rotatable member, a shiftable dog adapted to engage with said member for rotating it in one d1rection,' means for preventing back rotation of said member, and a lever carrying said dog and provided with an offset and having a lug to'limit the eaaeea movement of said dog in one direction, said lever further provided with a lug adapted to engage said means for moving it out of engagement withsaid member, said lever when moved to inoperative position adapted to shift said dog to a Wedge-like engagement with said means, thereby retaining the said means in operative position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses. I

, AUGUST MERTES. Witnesses:

MARY DEELY, H. S. LYDICK; 

